When Nancy told Sheila what information she wanted, Sheila said, “The shore excursion manager is in a meeting, but his assistant, Craig Oliver, is around here somewhere.” Nancy could detect just a hint of disdain in her voice. It was obvious that Sheila didn’t think too much of Craig’s work ethic. Nancy was beginning to form a mental picture of him just from the little she had been able to glean from Amber and now Sheila—and she didn’t particularly like what she was seeing. “I’d page him for you,” Sheila continued, “but the last time I did that, he bawled me out.”
“I think I know what he looks like,” Nancy said. She described the man she had seen Amber talking to right after they boarded the ship.
“That’s Craig,” Sheila said. She took a quick look around. “When you find him, you might tell him that you’re the fifth person already this morning who’s been looking for him!”
Nancy grinned. “I can probably work that in somehow,” she said. “Any idea where I should start looking?”
“Well, he likes the sundeck,” Sheila said. “Maybe he’s there?”
“Thanks,” Nancy said.
“I hope he gets in trouble,” Sheila said, just loud enough for Nancy to hear.
“You never can tell,” Nancy said.
Nancy took the elevator up to the sundeck. George had been swimming laps in the pool since breakfast that morning, and there was a crowd cheering her on. Craig Oliver wasn’t part of the group, so Nancy continued her search, heading toward the Palm Garden Café. She entered by the fitness center and, not seeing Craig, exited by the pool bar. Just as she rounded the corner she spotted him. He was leaning up against a wall with his back to her.
What’s he doing? Nancy wondered.
Suddenly, Craig turned his head. When he saw Nancy, he jumped.
Nancy decided to say nothing and keep walking. She rounded another corner and almost collided with two men who also looked surprised to see her. They immediately hurried off.
Nancy stood where she was and looked at the retreating men. Right away she knew that Craig had been listening to their conversation and that she had interrupted them. Nancy walked to where Craig was still standing.
“You’re Craig Oliver, aren’t you?” Nancy said.
“That’s what my name tag says, yes,” Craig replied. “Why?”
“Do you always answer passengers’ questions in such a hostile manner?” Nancy asked.
Craig took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Ms.…”
“Drew. Nancy Drew,” Nancy said.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Drew,” Craig said. “You startled me, that’s all.”
“Did I interrupt your eavesdropping on the conversation those two men were having?” Nancy prodded.
Craig’s face turned a bright red. “How dare you accuse me of something like that!” he said forcefully. “Who do you think you are?”
“Actually, I’m a friend of Amber’s. She told me and my friends that you were ignoring her, after you went to all the trouble of getting her a reduced rate for this cruise,” Nancy said. “So I was just doing a little detective work. That’s all.”
Nancy noticed a definite change in Craig’s demeanor. Now he seemed more confused than angry. “Did Amber put you up to this?” he asked.
Nancy shook her head. “No. I offered,” she replied. “Amber said you were acting mysterious. I told her that I had solved some mysteries back home in River Heights, where my friends and I live. She asked me if I could help her solve this one.”
Craig eyed her steadily. “And do you think you’ve solved it?” he asked.
Nancy shrugged. “Well, I caught you listening in on the conversation of a couple of the passengers,” she said. “I don’t think your superiors would be happy if they found that out.” She paused for a minute to see if Craig would defend his actions. When he didn’t, she added, “You’ll have to admit that it looks suspicious. What were you trying to find out?”
Instead of answering her question, Craig said, “I’m curious, what gives you the right to go snooping around to solve mysteries in River Heights?”
“My father’s a lawyer. He’s worked on a lot of famous cases over the years that needed some detective work,” Nancy explained. “That’s how I grew up. I was surrounded by mysteries that needed solving.”
“Then you’ll understand that I’m not really eavesdropping on the passengers for my own gain, Ms. Drew. I’m doing some detective work too—for the ship. It’s part of my job. Our final port of call is Toronto, Canada,” Craig said. “I have to make sure that there is no suspicious activity on the ship that would in any way damage international relations.” He smiled, thinking—Nancy was sure—that his explanation was more than sufficient for her. “So if you’ll excuse me, I need to go about my work.” He gave Nancy a slight nod and headed toward the elevators.
Now what? Nancy wondered. What Craig said could be true, but there’s something that’s not adding up here.
As Nancy circled back around to the pool area she noticed George getting out of the water to the applause of a sizable crowd. “George!” she called.
George dried herself off and came over to Nancy. “What’s wrong?” she said. “You look like you’re mad about something.”
Nancy nodded. “I just met Craig Oliver. It’s put me in a bad mood.”
“I want to hear about it!” George said. She looked toward the huge refreshment table that was being set up on the other side of the pool. “But first let me get something to eat. I’m starved. Do you want something?”
“Not now,” Nancy said. “But go ahead. I’ll just sit here in one of the deck chairs and get some sun.”
While George hurried toward the other side of the pool, Nancy sat down and closed her eyes. She could feel the warmth of the sun starting to penetrate her muscles and relax her.
“Ms. Drew?”
Nancy opened her eyes.
Craig was standing in front of her, blocking the sun. “May I join you?”
“Sure, why not?” Nancy said, acting nonchalant.
